MOGADISHU, Somalia, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- African Union peacekeepers in Somalia have opened a new front in their war against al-Shabaab militants, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Lieutenant Col. Paddy Ankunda of the African Union Mission in Somalia told the Shabelle Media Network that peacekeepers have moved towards a major defense base of the al-Qaida affiliated group near the capital of Mogadishu.
Ankunda said the move is part of an African Union plan to liberate all strongholds in south and central Somalia controlled by al-Shabaab fighters.
In northeast Somalia, more than 17 soldiers of the Puntland security forces have reportedly been killed in a heavy battle with fighters loyal to a cleric linked to al-Shabaab.
A witness told Shabelle Media by phone that the cleric's fighters had taken over the town of Sugare from the Puntland army.
